Miami Dolphins vs NE Patriots Picks & Preview

NFL Week 9 Sunday, Nov. 8 - 1 p.m. Eastern - CBS Miami Dolphins (3-4) at New England Patriots (5-2)

Two teams beginning to round into form offensively will meet Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., in the Miami Dolphins-New England Patriots game. CBS will regionally televise the Dolphins and Patriots at 1 p.m. Eastern.

New England enters the Dolphins-Patriots game off a bye week and off a trip to London, where the Patriots routed Tampa Bay, 35-7.

The Patriots have averaged 47 points in their past two games, although those two wins came against a pair of teams that were winless at the time in Tampa Bay and Tennessee. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have averaged 33.3 points per game in their past four games.

Don't dismiss the Dolphins because of their sub-.500 record heading into Week 9. Miami has won three of its last four games, with all three wins against AFC East Division foes, after a 0-3 start. Two of Miami's losses this season have come against the NFL's last two unbeaten teams, Indianapolis and New Orleans, both games in which Miami led in the fourth quarter.

The Dolphins continue to rely on their running game this season, especially after quarterback Chad Pennington suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3. Quarterback Chad Henne is 3-1 as a starter for Miami, despite not throwing for more than 250 yards in a game yet this season.

Figuring out the Patriots is not a complex process: When New England scores more than 17 points, it is 5-0 this season. The Patriots are 0-2 when scoring 17 or fewer points.

New England will want to take care to not look ahead, as the Patriots will play their next game at their long AFC rival, undefeated Indianapolis, on Nov. 15.

In games against common opponents this season, New England is 2-1, while Miami is 3-1.

Sept. 14: Patriots 25, Bills 24 Sept. 20: Jets 16, Patriots 9 Sept. 27: Patriots 26, Falcons 10 Sept. 13: Falcons 19, Dolphins 7 Oct. 4: Dolphins 38, Bills 10 Oct. 12: Dolphins 31, Jets 27 Nov. 1: Dolphins 30, Jets 25

The Dolphins are 3-4 ATS this season, but they have won three of their last four ATS. Miami is 1-2 ATS as a road underdog. New England is 4-3 ATS on the season, including 3-1 as a home favorite. New England has won four of its last five ATS.

Last season, the Dolphins and Patriots split their two meetings, with both teams winning easily on the road. Miami won at New England, 38-13, as a 12.5-point underdog. In the rematch in Miami, the Patriots won, 48-28, as a 1-point favorite.